Abstract: A composite fiber and resin sign post for displaying highway signs which provides great reduction in vehicle damage in the event a vehicle moving at high speed collides with the sign post. This potential is achieved by the controlling the mode and location of the structural failure of the post upon impact. The failure mode of the post is controlled by varying the configuration of the post in cross-section, in combination with varying the specific fibers and resins, and in further combination with varying the location and placement of the fibers. The composite post may be constructed by pultrusion, filament winding, or related processes. A preferred embodiment uses a ground anchor socket constructed either by processes and components similar to those used in manufacturing the post, or by stamping sheet steel and spot welding to form a socket. The anchor socket provides additional control over the post failure and makes replacement of damaged posts quicker and easier.

Abstract: The method comprises placing upper and lower stacks of unimpregnated fibrous reinforcement plies having a core of preimpregnated fibrous reinforcement plies therebetween in a mold and injecting chemically activated resin to impregnate the upper and lower stacks of unimpregnated fibrous reinforcement plies and initiate curing of heat-activatable resin of the core, and removing the molded part from the mold after curing and cooling of the part.

Abstract: A hollow reinforcing rod insertable into a bored hole is a mine roof and assembled just before insertion therein from a plurality of coiled reinforcing elements of pultruded glass filament reinforced thermoset resin, the rod being cut from the coils after insertion in the hole.

Abstract: Pultruded reinforced thermosetting resin arcuate sections are wound respectively on spools, the spools are transported to a well site, and the arcuate sections are unwound from the spools and assembled into a sucker rod.

Abstract: A resinous article and method for making the article wherein a body of fibrous reinforcing material and syntactic foam containing a low density filler are placed in a molding and curing chamber with the reinforcing material in contact with the surface of the chamber. A molding pressure is then exerted on the chamber to mold and cure the body of material into a finished article. The pressure exerted being sufficient to force a portion of the resinous material in the syntactic foam through the reinforcing material to form a resin rich surface on the article. However, the low density filler material is retained within the core area of the article by the reinforcing material and forms a lightweight syntactic foam core. The resulting article has an outer skin, a layer of fibrous reinforcing material beneath the skin and bonded to the skin, and a core of lower density syntactic foam.

Abstract: The process and apparatus for continuously forming glass fiber reinforced products employs a preform produced by drawing continuous glass fibers through a resin bath and stripping die. This preform is then compressed during passage through an elongate molding zone. The molding zone is formed of two, articulated die cavity-containing tracks, the individual mold components of which join at the threshold of the zone to form an elongate, moving compression stage. This stage may be heated to carry out curing of the product during compression thereof.